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| Glenn and Helen |
A. For the first few years after Glenn's disappearance she was actively involved in the corporations he had set up, primarily Glenn Miller Productions, and in working with his estate to re-launch the orchestra under the direction of lead saxophonist and vocalist Tex Beneke.
She was also faced with raising their two adopted children alone, so as relations with the Beneke-led band deteriorated during the late 1940s she moved away from direct involvement with Glenn's music. In 1953 and 1954 she assisted with aspects of the biopic The Glenn Miller Story, starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson.
There is speculation that her disagreements with Tex Beneke over the band's musical direction were in part responsible for the fact that he was entirely written out of the script.
During the 1950s and early 60s Helen Miller was almost completely uninvolved with her late husband's music, except for giving occasional interviews to close friends such as biographer (and former Miller musician and confidant) George T. Simon. Notably, Simon refused to either deny or confirm the heartbreaking rumor that Helen had kept many of Glenn's personal effects in their bedroom and even prepared his bed every evening, just in case he should miraculously return ...
Helen Burger Miller died in 1966 at age 64. Her passing was mentioned in some newspapers but received little other notice.
I learned to Foxtrot and Jitterbug with my father to Glen Millers songs and I love them,I even have some albums of his. Glen was such a great musician, his music was so strong and smooth, that it just blended so perfectly...if that makes any sense. When Tex had the orchestra, it just didn't sound the same. There was only one Glen Miller and his Orchestra...only one!
ReplyDeleteMay you be resting in peace...
Glen Miller.🎶💖
The stunning absence of Tex Beneke from the Glenn Miller Story is a sad example of personal pettiness. I am a fan of Glenn Miller's music, but not Mrs. Miller.
ReplyDeleteTrouble is we will never know the real reasons of what went on.
DeleteDoesn't matter. Nothing justifies re-writing history. It's controlling, vindictive and cruel. Truth is truth.
DeleteMy mom loved all the big band. Her favorite being Glenn Milers. Although l wasn't born until 1947. My mom always listened to Glenn's music. I just finished watching the Glenn Miller Story. It brings back so many wonderful memories of my mom and dad dacing to his music. I still listen to his music and get a big smile on my face. To bad we don't have Big Bands like there's around anymore.
DeleteWe have no idea what went on between Tex and Mrs. Miller but no one can replace Glenn!
DeleteJust finished watching 'The Glenn Miller story' for the umpteenth time yet I still feel so sorry for the part exceptionally well played by June Allyson of Millers wife, Helen. Glenn Miller was long before my time (I was born 20 years after he died) but I was brought up on his music (and that of Frank Sinatra !) by my Uncle Alex who was music-daft - he even had a small room in his house turned into a small 'Listening-room' where he'd sit for hours listening to his favourite music !. But of Glenn Miller, Uncle Alex taught me to appreciate the sounds of Miller's band and it's various instruments, all being exceptionally well played and how difficult it must have been to arrange it all. To this day I still treasure my Uncle's music-collection he left me and as soon as I hear the first few notes of any of Glenn's music, I'm immediately transported back in time to when I sat in my Uncle's 'Listening room' while he educated me on the finest music I've ever heard !
ReplyDeleteGod bless your uncle, must've been an awesome guy. My dad played drums and knew Krupa. I had great times as a kid.
DeleteI'll watch the movie "Ball of Fire" just to watch the "Drum Boogie" part. Krupa was amazing.
DeleteIm watching Glenn Miller Story now. Brilliant, even have " In The Mood as our door bell tune.
DeleteI grew up in the 50s watching my folks jitterbug to Glen Miller. What uplifting music! I love it!
DeleteI grew up in the 60s but I wasn't allowed to listen to rock & roll Music but my
DeleteDad liked 40s big band stuff so I listened to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy instead & I loved it! I still listen & play these songs as much as I can.
My dad had records of all the big bands, including (of course!) Glenn Miller. When my brother got married, they had a DJ who played a lot of Glenn Miller and the other Big Band at the reception: one of the best times I ever had!!
ReplyDeleteVery great movie...so sad of an ending for a great man Glenn Miller & also for his wife Helen...without her he would have probably never went that last mile to creating his music! God bless them both.
ReplyDeleteCompared to today's "music" which to me is rhythmic noise, Glen Miller and some of his contemporaries made music to dance, sing, and play on most instruments. The gift of melodies that can be repeated and admired are what music is truly about.
ReplyDeleteEven “rhythmic” is stretching it
DeleteJust watched the movie. It was a good movie and Jimmy Stewart was amazing as always but I didn't like the actress who played the wife. I felt they could have cast someone prettier. I was born in 77 but I know I was born about 50 yrs too late. My heart and soul belong in the 1940s. Moonlight Serenade is the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.
ReplyDeleteI love June Allyson fabulous actress and I thought she was beautiful! I loved her raspy voice....I've seen all her movies
DeleteI love her also seen everyone of her movies. Her and Stewart work great together.
DeleteJust watched The Glenn Miller Story yet again. I never get tired of it, you just can't keep still to his music. A great man with a great band. I was born in 1960 so his music was before my time but my dad had his records and a whole collection of records before my time so I grew up listening to many types of music outside the norm for my age. Glenn Miller achieved his aim of creating a different sound, and what an amazing sound it was. It i was a tragic loss to the world and his family that he died so young, just imagine how much more he could have achieved. His music is timeless and will always live on
DeleteIl faut aller voir les photos de Helen Miller sur le web! Elle n’était pas d’une beauté « hollywoodienne”! Alors l’actrice June Allison a été choisie car il y a une certaine ressemblance ! C’est çà qu’il faut apprécier du choix de cette grande actrice ! Il faut sortir des standards de beauté de perfection!
DeleteJune Allyson was a very popular actress although she was not a glamour girl.
DeleteHe specialty was playing sentimental wives and was always cast in those roles against the leading men of the time.
Go to a specialist...... But a good one!!!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't even born till 1963 but fell in love with the music of Glenn Miller in particular. He inspired me to learn how to play both the trombone & saxophon. I still love and listen to his music regularly. I also remember reading a biography of Glenn Miller many years ago, which also told the story of Helen after Glenn's disappearance. Her children contributed to the story too by mentioning that she never got over his death, kept their bedroom and his most favorite places in their home the way he liked it, as if he was expected to be walking in any minute. They said it took them years to break her habit of turning down his bed, every night, as if he was expected to walk in after a late night engagement. They concluded, that their mother died of a broken heart as she never overcame Glenn's disappearance.
ReplyDeleteMay they both rest in peace!
4ever Glenn Miller ❤❤❤
You could be my child, although I would have been quite young. I started dating my husband in 1962m he 15, myself 13. We went together all through high school five years, married in 1967. Home was hit by lightening 2018, in a rental house for 11 months. A month before coming back home, husband then of 52 years plus the five years in school, 57 years. Now April 29th be married 56 years plus five in school. He left me the month before we were to come back home without even telling me. One son, 6 grandchildren and a 10 year old great grandson I think I deserved a sit down. I came back to the house May 1st of 2019. The next month, June went to the lawyer. Divorce suppose to take 4 month. Then the pandemic came, four months has turned into almost four years!!! Lawyer said he has never had anyone married as long as we have his whole career, I told him I was quite shocked, I figured the next big thing in my life would be death, not starting ones life over. I have not seen or heard from son nor grandchildren since April 30th 2019. I do not know why, he left me. We do share Glenn Miller in common. Love the big bands, the Glenn Miller Band the most.
DeleteAlso, my Father's name was Glenn. I am a Glenda, called Suzy from day one. I wished they named me just Glenn. Thank you for listening or reading.
Moonlight Serenade one of my most favorites.
I’m so sorry. Hope you’re not alone.
DeleteJust watched the movie again. I have enjoyed it as the first time. Great starring both of them. Seems to me as if she played a very a capital role in his career and his life. Unfortunately best guys pass away unexpectedly early while crap ones keep damaging society for ever.
ReplyDeleteI was born in 1964, but was raised on all the great music of the 40s and 50s. When I went away to college in the early 80s I brought my dad’s big band vinyl records. Many of my college acquaintances thought I was a freak for listening to old music. I considered them ignorant and pathetic. God bless my parents for raising me on old music and old movies! Now my kids are raising my grandkids on all the good old classics…thanks to my parents!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame that having Tex Beneke take over as bandleader didn't work out and his and Helens association turned sour, leaving him out of the movie. He probably would've played himself if he was allowed in the movie. Only a few probably knew what actually was the problem. It's a shame because Texs' voice was so notable on so many of those popular songs on which he had been a staple for so long. Tex went on for many years performing with big bands and led bands up until 1998 and made it to 200 when he passed away at 86 years old. Can't help feeling bad for Helen in the movie (and in real life). From the short bio above, it seems she may have lived a quiet life somewhat mourning Glen's death until she passed, at a relatively young age at that.
ReplyDelete